Human Resource Community

In a recent development, Sushanth Tharappan is set to take over as the new Head of Human Resources (HR) at Infosys, replacing Richard Lobo, according to sources. Lobo, who has held the position since 2015, will transition to a special projects team under CEO Salil Parekh. Tharappan, currently serving as the head of Infosys’ leadership institute since 2019, has a background in succession planning and executive development. He has been with Infosys since 2000, working in various roles such as global head for talent acquisition, head of HR for Products, Platforms, and Solutions, and Chief People Officer at Edgeverve. Lobo, an alumnus of Xavier’s Institute of Management, joined Infosys in 2000 and previously led HR for specific industry practices. This change in leadership reflects the industry’s focus on HR functions, particularly in terms of workforce structure and managing hybrid work environments. This transition follows Shaji Mathew’s appointment as global head of HR in March, succeeding Krish Shankar, who retired. Mathew, an Infosys veteran of 31 years, assumed his role the day after Shankar’s retirement and was previously in charge of the company’s Mysore centre. Infosys has not provided an official comment on the appointment. Source: Moneycontrol

The central government has implemented a new policy granting government employees a special leave period of 42 days for organ donation. This move aims to provide employees with adequate recovery time after donating an organ. The decision aligns with the transplantation of human organs and tissues act of 1994, which requires donors to be approved by a registered medical practitioner. The leave can be taken starting one week before the surgery, as advised by a doctor or registered medical practitioner. The leave can also be divided into separate periods based on the surgery’s nature, as permitted by the doctor or registered practitioner. This policy intends to promote organ donation among government employees and recognizes it as a compassionate act of support. The ministry of personnel, public grievances, and pensions department of personnel and training issued this policy on April 25, 2023. Previously, employees were granted 30 days of leave for organ donation, but it has now been extended to 42 days based on inquiries and references from the ministry of health and family welfare. These orders apply to government employees in civil services and positions related to the affairs of the Union of India, as specified in the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972. The rule is effective from the date of the notification. The guidelines also specify that the organ removal surgery must be performed in a government or private hospital authorized under the central government health scheme. If the procedure takes place in a private hospital, a medical certificate signed by the relevant head of department (HOD) is required.

Tata Capital, the financial services division of the Tata Group, has recently hired more than 340 management trainees for its management trainee program in 2023. These trainees were selected from renowned institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other prestigious business schools across India. Tata Capital conducted recruitment activities across 50 campuses nationwide to ensure a diverse group of candidates. The company aims to provide these management trainees with challenging opportunities by offering them positions in various functions within the organization, including sales, credit, collections, risk, finance, HR, data science, and technology. The annual management trainee program at Tata Capital enables MBA freshers to explore and enhance their skills in the finance industry. It serves as a stepping stone for these trainees, helping them gain a comprehensive understanding of the sector and navigate their careers effectively. The company remains committed to empowering young professionals while adhering to its core values of excellence, diversity, and innovation. Avijit Bhattacharya, the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) of Tata Capital, emphasized the program’s significance in attracting top talent and immersing them in the Tata culture. The company is dedicated to investing in the trainees’ professional growth and developing critical skills, with a strong focus on building a robust leadership pipeline for the future.

After a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy announced that the company will invest $15 billion in India, bringing its total investment to $26 billion by 2030. This investment is expected to create around 20 lakh jobs in the country. Jassy and Modi discussed various ways to support Indian start-ups, boost job creation, promote exports, accelerate digitalization, and help small businesses expand globally. Amazon has already committed to assisting 10 million small businesses in their digital transformation and facilitating $20 billion worth of exports. Over the past decade, the company has helped digitize over 6.2 million small businesses and facilitated exports worth more than $7 billion, providing employment opportunities for 1.3 million people directly and indirectly. Additionally, Amazon has supported over 12 lakh Indian businesses in selling their products online, even in remote areas of the country. During Modi’s visit to the United States, he also met with tech executives, including Tim Cook from Apple, Sundar Pichai from Google, and Satya Nadella from Microsoft. It is reported that Modi invited these global companies to establish manufacturing units in India.

Lloyds Banking Group, a UK-based financial institution, has announced its plans to establish a new technology centre in Hyderabad, India, as part of its £3 billion investment strategy aimed at digital transformation. The bank intends to hire around 600 skilled professionals specializing in technology, data, and cyber security roles initially, with a focus on enhancing customer experience and strengthening its technical capabilities. Ron van Kemenade, the Group Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the significance of this investment in Hyderabad’s technology landscape, acknowledging India’s emergence as a hub for technological innovation. Leveraging this trend, Lloyds aims to meet evolving customer needs and support long-term growth strategies. The Lloyds Technology Centre in Hyderabad will become home to 600 specialists in technology, data, and cyber security by the end of 2023. The facility will primarily focus on building internal technical capabilities to improve the customer experience. Kemenade expressed excitement about the company’s technology transformation and highlighted the abundance of opportunities in Hyderabad, given the city’s talented engineers and impressive technology ecosystem. He also emphasized Lloyds’ commitment to contributing to the local job market as it expands its presence in the region. Recruitment efforts are currently underway for the leadership team, and broader recruitment plans are being developed in preparation for the opening of the technology centre later this year.

Uber Technologies has announced plans to lay off 200 employees from its recruitment division as part of its efforts to maintain a stable workforce and streamline costs. This reduction represents less than 1% of Uber’s global staff, which currently stands at 32,700 employees. The company had previously laid off 150 employees from its freight services division earlier this year. The latest cuts specifically target 35% of Uber’s recruiting team, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. During the onset of the pandemic in mid-2020, Uber had reduced its workforce by 17%. However, compared to its chief rival Lyft, Uber has implemented smaller-scale cuts in recent months. Lyft, led by new CEO David Risher, had previously let go of approximately 26% of its workforce in April and around 700 employees late last year. These measures were taken in an attempt to safeguard profit margins and compete with Uber, which holds a larger market share. Uber had previously stated its intention to achieve operating income profitability in the current year and maintain a steady headcount, following a sequential decline in employee numbers in the first quarter of this year.

IndiGo, the largest airline in India, has made history with its latest aircraft order from Airbus. The airline announced its purchase of 500 A320 planes, marking the largest order ever in commercial aviation. The deal solidifies the already strong relationship between IndiGo and Airbus, as the airline has previously ordered a staggering total of 1,330 aircraft from the manufacturer since its establishment in 2006. IndiGo emphasized the fuel efficiency and cost-saving benefits of the A320NEO Family aircraft. By prioritizing these factors, the airline aims to continue lowering its operating costs while maintaining high reliability standards. The significance of this historic order is not lost on IndiGo’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, who highlighted the order’s contribution to India’s economic growth, social cohesion, and mobility. Currently operating a fleet of over 300 aircraft, IndiGo already has 480 aircraft on order, scheduled for delivery by the end of the decade. With this latest order of 500 additional aircraft set to be delivered between 2030 and 2035, IndiGo’s order book now approaches almost 1,000 planes, ensuring its growth well into the next decade. The order consists of a combination of A320NEO, A321NEO, and A321XLR models, further solidifying IndiGo’s confidence in the A320 Family and its strategic partnership with Airbus.

Infosys, a multinational IT company, has implemented a new work policy for its employees based in the United States and Canada. The policy mandates a five-day work week, requiring employees to be physically present in the office. This change affects approximately 30,000 employees in these two countries. Working remotely will only be permitted under special circumstances with prior approval, and non-compliance with the policy may result in disciplinary action. Infosys’ decision aligns with the recent trend observed in other major IT firms like Google and TCS, which have also implemented similar mandates for office attendance. While the Covid-19 pandemic initially popularized remote work, companies are now shifting towards a return to office-based work and no longer considering remote work as a long-term option. In contrast, employees in India are following a phased approach to transitioning back to office-based work.

The Central government has taken an active initiative to prioritize the well-being and productivity of its employees by introducing the ‘Y-Break – Yoga at Office Chair’ program. Launched by the Ministry of AYUSH, this program aims to reduce stress, rejuvenate individuals, and improve focus in the workplace. The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, under the Ministry of AYUSH, has tailored additional activities to accommodate busy officials who struggle to find time for traditional yoga practices. These activities enable employees to engage in yoga while seated at their office desks. In a recent directive issued on June 12, officials have been granted the opportunity to benefit from the Y-Break protocol, which is designed to refresh and enhance focus during office hours. Encouraged by positive feedback, the Personnel Ministry has urged all Central government entities to adopt and promote this innovative yoga practice among their employees. The Y-Break protocol includes various simple yoga practices like asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), and dhyana (meditation). These can be easily incorporated into short breaks, allowing employees to experience the physical and mental benefits of yoga throughout the workday. By implementing this initiative, the government showcases its commitment to prioritizing employee well-being and creating a healthy work environment. Integrating yoga into employees’ daily routines can lead to improved physical health, mental well-being, and a better work-life balance. The ‘Y-Break – Yoga at Office Chair’ program provides valuable tips to help employees incorporate wellness practices into their workday conveniently, ultimately enhancing overall productivity and job satisfaction. Through this approach, the government aims to foster a positive and supportive work environment that promotes the holistic well-being of its employees.

Union IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar has addressed the concerns surrounding the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employment. He stated that while AI is capable of eliminating certain low-level jobs, it is not yet advanced enough to replace jobs that require logic and reasoning. According to Chandrasekhar, it will take another 5-10 years for AI to reach that level of sophistication. Chandrasekhar dismissed the notion that AI poses a significant threat to human jobs, despite the increasing apprehension among the public. He acknowledged the use of AI algorithms and chatbots in businesses worldwide, which has sparked discussions about potential job losses. However, he emphasized that the current state of AI technology does not render humans redundant in the workforce. Regarding recent layoffs in the Indian tech industry, Chandrasekhar refuted claims that there are no jobs available. He highlighted the substantial job creation in the digital and tech space in recent years, with nearly one crore jobs being generated during that period alone. While Chandrasekhar recognized that AI could eventually lead to job displacement, he stated that the current focus of AI is on enhancing efficiency through task automation. He emphasized that AI is presently more task-oriented rather than driven by reasoning or logic, which is required for many jobs. Chandrasekhar concluded by urging caution and stating that AI’s capability to replace human jobs should not be completely disregarded. He acknowledged that future advancements in AI could lead to job displacement but reassured that the current level of sophistication is not an immediate cause for concern. Chandrasekhar’s comments provide reassurance that AI’s ability to replace human workers is still several years away. While the impact of AI on the job market remains a topic of debate, he believes that the fears surrounding AI stealing human jobs are exaggerated and unnecessary at this point in time.